Stanford loses two more players to NFL Draft

Stanford got hit hard by the NFL draft this month, but it could have been worse.

Of the five players who considered jumping to the pros, three made the move: All-American guard David Yankey declared his intentions Monday, while free safety Ed Reynolds and offensive tackle Cameron Fleming made it official Tuesday.

Yankey is an All-American, Fleming a three-year starter and Reynolds a first-team all-Pac-12 performer.

"A better script could not have been written for my experience at Stanford as a student-athlete," Reynolds said in a statement.

Inside linebacker A.J. Tarpley and defensive end Henry Anderson announced last week that they will return in 2014, allowing the Cardinal to avoid a mass exodus, but Stanford must replace six key members from one of the nation's best defenses.

Two of the four likely replacements — guard Joshua Garnett and tackle Kyle Murphy -- were touted recruits who gained significant experience this season playing in Stanford's so-called Jumbo formations, with additional linemen.